Unseen | Ghost x Soap

Chapter 17: Close

Soap's POV:

The sun was high in the sky, casting sharp shadows across the training grounds. The team was already gathered, ready for the day's drills. Ghost and I stood at the center, facing each other. The tension between us was palpable, an undercurrent that neither of us could ignore.

"Ready to get your ass handed to you, Soap?" Ghost teased, his eyes glinting with challenge.

I smirked, rolling my shoulders to loosen up. "You wish, Ghost. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."

The training drill was a hand-to-hand combat session, designed to keep us sharp and ready for anything. We circled each other, the rest of the team watching with a mix of anticipation and amusement. Ghost moved first, his stance low and balanced, his eyes locked on mine.

We clashed, our movements a blur of strikes and counters. Each time we touched, a spark seemed to ignite between us, the physical contact sending a jolt through my system. I could see the same reaction in Ghost's eyes, a flash of something more than just combat focus.

"Not bad," he muttered, blocking a punch and countering with a swift kick.

"Thanks," I replied, dodging and retaliating with a quick jab. "You're not too shabby yourself."

The banter continued, each of us trying to outdo the other, but beneath the playful words was a deeper connection. The feel of his skin against mine, the heat of his breath as we grappled—it was intoxicating. I found myself wanting more, wanting to push the boundaries of our training and see where it led.

We were evenly matched, each of us pushing the other to the limit. I managed to land a solid hit, knocking Ghost back a step. He grinned, wiping a bit of sweat from his brow. "You're getting better, Soap. Almost impressive."

"Almost?" I shot back, laughing. "I'll take that as a compliment."

We continued the drill, the rest of the team fading into the background as the world narrowed to just the two of us. Every move, every touch, was charged with an unspoken tension. It was a dance of shadows, each of us testing the limits of our control.

Finally, Price called time, his voice cutting through the haze of combat. "Alright, that's enough for now. Take a break, everyone."

We stepped back, panting and covered in sweat. Ghost's eyes met mine, and for a moment, the rest of the world ceased to exist. The connection between us was electric, a silent promise that neither of us could deny.

"Good fight," Ghost said, his voice low and husky.

"You too," I replied, trying to steady my breathing.

We walked to the edge of the training grounds, finding a secluded spot to catch our breath. The rest of the team scattered, leaving us alone. The silence between us was heavy with unspoken words, the tension from the training session still thrumming through my veins.

Ghost leaned against a nearby wall, his gaze intense. "You're getting better, Soap. Really."

I shrugged, feeling a warmth spread through me at his praise. "Thanks. Means a lot coming from you."

He tugged at his mask, his fingers hesitating at the edge. For a moment, I thought he might take it off completely, but he stopped, revealing only his lips. The sight sent a jolt through me, the unspoken promise of what lay beneath the mask almost too much to bear.

"Johnny," He murmured under his breath.

We stared at each other, the air between us crackling with tension. My heart pounded in my chest, and I took a step closer, drawn to him like a moth to a flame. His lips parted slightly, and I could see the same desire mirrored in his eyes.

Just as I moved to close the distance, the door to the room opened, and one of the team members walked in. The spell was broken, and we both stepped back, the moment slipping away like sand through our fingers.

"Hey, you guys alright?" the team member asked, oblivious to the charged atmosphere.

"Yeah, we're fine," Ghost replied, his voice steady but his eyes still locked on mine.

The interruption was a stark reminder of the reality we faced, but the tension between us was undeniable. As we rejoined the rest of the team, I couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if we had been alone just a moment longer.

The dance of shadows continued, but one thing was clear: the connection between us was growing stronger, and it was only a matter of time before the truth came to light.